USCIRF 2025 Report: Growing Religious Intolerance in Hungary and Russia
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has published its 2025 annual report, highlighting severe religious discrimination and oppression across the globe.
From state-controlled religious practices in China to the persecution of Christian and Muslim minorities in various regions, the report outlines ongoing threats to religious freedom. Among European countries, Hungary and Russia have emerged as areas of concern, raising alarms about the future of religious liberties on the continent.
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Worsening Conditions for Religious Freedom Worldwide
The report identifies 16 “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPCs), where systematic and severe violations of religious freedom persist. These nations include Afghanistan, Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, India, Iran, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam. Issues range from harsh blasphemy laws to outright persecution of religious minorities.
Additionally, the Special Watch List (SWL) highlights countries with significant but slightly less extreme violations. These include Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
Beyond state actors, the report also examines non-state organizations such as Boko Haram and ISIS affiliates, which continue to commit religiously motivated violence and persecution.
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Hungary: Legal Restrictions and Government Control
Hungary’s approach to religious freedom has drawn criticism, not for outright persecution, but for legal and bureaucratic measures that restrict religious rights.
One of the key concerns is Article 9 of the Hungarian Constitution, which allows limitations on free speech if deemed offensive to religious groups. Critics argue that this could enable religious institutions to suppress critical viewpoints under the pretext of protecting their dignity.
Furthermore, Hungary’s Church Law remains controversial. Under current regulations, the government determines which religious organizations receive legal recognition, often favoring larger and more established groups while excluding smaller religious communities. This policy disproportionately affects newer and minority religious groups, denying them certain rights and state benefits.
Despite these troubling restrictions, Hungary has also sought to engage in international discussions on religious discrimination. The country hosted U.S. Special Envoy on Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt and organized a European Commission meeting on the EU’s strategy against antisemitism. However, while Hungary presents itself as a leader in combating antisemitism, its internal policies continue to marginalize non-Christian religious groups, raising concerns about selective advocacy rather than genuine religious pluralism.
Another alarming development is the increased legal pressure on religious organizations. In January, a Hungarian court issued a non-binding conviction against 21 individuals associated with a Scientology-affiliated organization, accusing them of “quackery” for offering alternative medical treatments. Despite strong support from 60 witnesses affirming the benefits of the organization’s drug rehabilitation program, the case remains open. Some observers believe this legal action is part of a broader effort to delegitimize minority religious groups.
The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Dr. Nazila Ghanea, has also criticized Hungary’s policies in her **country visit report** (A/HRC/58/49/Add.1), highlighting how Hungary’s approach aligns with Russia’s restrictive religious policies. Like Moscow, Budapest is increasingly shaping a state-approved religious landscape, moving away from the more open religious policies advocated by the United States and Western Europe.
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Russia: Religious Repression in the Name of Security
Russia remains a recurrent violator of religious freedoms and has once again been designated a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by USCIRF. The government continues to misuse anti-extremism laws to suppress religious minorities, particularly Jehovah’s Witnesses, independent Muslims, evangelical Protestants, and Scientologists.
While the Russian Orthodox Church enjoys state favoritism, non-Orthodox religious communities are frequently treated as threats to national security. The persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses is especially concerning, with dozens of members imprisoned for so-called extremism, despite their historically nonviolent beliefs.
In Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, religious oppression has worsened. Authorities have systematically arrested religious leaders, seized church properties, and banned non-Orthodox religious gatherings, especially targeting Ukrainian Orthodox Church members who
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